Demonstration on production of compost from parthenium held in Diphu

Published on May 10, 2025

DIPHU — Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Karbi Anglong, in collaboration with the Department of Agronomy and AICRP on Weed Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, conducted a one-day demonstration on production of compost from parthenium in Amlokhi village on May 9.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Monuj Kumar Doley, head of KVK, spoke on the objectives of the programme, followed by speech Dr. Kalyan Pathak, head of Agronomy, who emphasised the detrimental effects of alien invasive weed parthenium hysterophorus, which causes dermatitis, hay fever, asthma and bronchitis in human beings and allergy in cattle.
Dr. Khagen Kurmi, professor of Agronomy, spoke on control and management of parthenium weed and preparation of compost, while Dr. Manas Jyoti Barooah, PI of AICRP on farm implements and machinery, spoke on preparation of biochar from parthenium and its uses in crop production.

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Dr. Milon Jyoti Konwar, scientist at AAU, Jorhat, explained about the yield loss in agricultural crops due to parthenium as well as its allergic effects on cattle and negative impacts on grazing lands.
It was followed by a practical demonstration on compost preparation from parthenium, which was discussed by Prakshipta Boruah, SMS (Agronomy) and Monuj Pegu, farm manager at KVK Karbi Anglong.
The inputs required for compost preparation are dry cow dung, chopped banana pseudostem and leaves, paddy straw, parthenium plants without flowers, which becomes ready for use after about 60 days.
Besides, vermi-beds were also distributed to the self help groups of the village.